Lessons learned
06-22-03 | 06:48 PM
#1
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Lessons learned
Matt posted my story recently, but since I'm checking in I thought I'd give you the details on my own words.
I was driving in the Rockies, thoroughly enjoying the twisties as I piloted Pam down the TransCanada highway. It began to rain lightly, so I reduced speed. Soon I was behind a semi, who was kicking up torrents of water onto my windscreen.
This particular stretch of TCH is only one lane in each direction, no median, with the river canyon on one side (my side) and the jagged mountain face on the other. Every now and then one side of the highway widens into two lanes to allow passing. I reached one such passing lane and pulled out from behind the semi. Although Pam could have easily passed, the rain was making things a bit slick so I took my time.
I pulled in front of the semi right at the end of the passing lane. Being a bit overcautious I tend to leave at least two car lengths between me and a semi when pulling in front of, just to be sure the driver of the much taller vehicle can see me.
The highway then took a sharp blind turn to the left. Ohmyfuckinggod, there's a line of traffic ahead of me, all AT A DEAD STOP!
I'm in a tight left hand turn. If I just hit the brakes, I've no time to stop and I'll plow into the nearest vehicle's trunk. If I pull to the right I'll go through the small barrier and plunge into the river canyon. The oncoming lane to the left is clear, so as I brake I pull left.
Our cars tend to get tail happy in a tight curve. Now that pulling left made the curve even tighter, the back end broke and started massive oversteer. I tried to correct, but the new rain had lifted oil and tire dust to the surface and it was like being on ice.
Pam spun, the passenger compartment becoming her axis. I slid across the (thankfully empty) oncoming lane. Pam plowed through a 'Slow traffic keep right' sign and slid sideways into a shallow creekbed between the highway and mountain face. The creekbed was filled with jagged rocks that had crumbled from the mountain above, each one a collection of lethal points and razor edges.
Pam snagged one such rock under the passenger side rocker panel as she slid sideways, and the car flipped. I rolled over completely at least once and came to a rest upside down in the shallow creek. The sunroof and rear hatch had fragmented but the water was only a few inches deep.
People who had occupied the stopped cars dashed over. I heard someone say "cut the seatbelt so we can get the body out". I braced my feet in the footwell and, holding my torso up with one hand on the ground, unbuckled my belt.
Their first indication that I was alive was my voice asking "could someone please help pull the door open?"
I climbed out of my beloved car and surveyed the damage.
No other vehicles had been struck; however, the semi behind me had had a hell of a time stopping, coming to rest only inches from the stopped car that I'd avoided. Had I been able to stop in time, by some miracle, I'd have ended up mashed between the semi and the rest of the traffic.
There she lay, the rain stopping and the sun coming out, upside down and horribly disfigured. A mirror, I can't remember if it was driver's or passenger's side, lay several feet away. The driver's front amber running light/ turn signal hung pathetically from the fender. The rear wiper motor and a few cubes of tinted glass were all that remained of the rear hatch. The Racing Beat muffler was bent sideways, torn from it's mounts. The muffler itself appeared undamaged; the stock connector pipe between it and the presilencer had been torn in half by the rocks.
The car, a 1985 Japanese lightweight sportscar with a frame designed in the mid-70's, had absorbed all the impact. Though the body was dented, mashed, crushed, and pierced by the rocks the A and B pillars were virtually unbent and the roof, albeit with shattered moonroof, had remained rigid.
Pam had saved my life.
Only moments later, it seemed, the ambulance had arrived. They checked me over; a few glass slivers in my scalp and right ear, a few nicks to my finger, and a friction burn on my left arm from the driver's door denting in as my arm was bouncing around, apparently sanding off a bit of skin.
no glass in the eye. No face torn open by the rocks. No crushed skull, no broken ribs... in fact, other than a few shallow cuts I have only a small bruise on my left hip from my tight lap belt.
The RCMP arrived and at first refused to believe I'd been the driver of the car. One of them was an accident reconstruction specialist and all he could say coherently was 'thank god you buckled up'. Both of the cops, and the paramedics before them, had been convinced when they saw the car that the driver would have been hamburger.
******
My thoughts on this:
- Had I stopped, the semi would have crushed me
- Had I gone right, I'd have plunged to certain death into the deep canyon, splashing into the river below. Pam would have either been dashed on freight-car sized rocks or submerged in the strong current.
- As it is, I lost only a car. A car I cherished, and was filled with pride by every time I drove her, washed her, or even looked in her general direction... but a car nonetheless.
- There is no way I should have walked away from that. Had one single factor, out of literally millions, been different my head would have been crushed and/or dashed open.
- Yes I'll probably have to fight my insurance co. to get a decent settlement out of this, but the reason traffic was stopped, triggering the chain of events, was because the BC Highways dept. was drilling and had shut down one lane of the highway, creating a bottleneck. There were no signs, no warning, just traffic occupying space around a blind corner that a car on the highway has reasonable expectation to be clear.
It'll take a long time for me to settle things financially, and to build another RX-7 as fine as this one... but at the end of the day she preserved my life and limb, taking every hit from every angle for me. I honestly didn't think a car with thin A pillars and so little metal above the sill line could take such a punishment.
One of the freaky things about me is I heal very, very quickly, physically speaking. The wounds on my hand and arm are closed and shrinking, the ones on my scalp and ear don't even exist anymore.
Most importantly to me, though, is that any self-pity I felt over the loss of a material possession, prized or not, was quickly abated when I read the outpouring of support from you guys in Matt's thread.
Thank you, each and every one of you, who posted words of encouragement. You're absolutely right; I will build another.
I was driving in the Rockies, thoroughly enjoying the twisties as I piloted Pam down the TransCanada highway. It began to rain lightly, so I reduced speed. Soon I was behind a semi, who was kicking up torrents of water onto my windscreen.
This particular stretch of TCH is only one lane in each direction, no median, with the river canyon on one side (my side) and the jagged mountain face on the other. Every now and then one side of the highway widens into two lanes to allow passing. I reached one such passing lane and pulled out from behind the semi. Although Pam could have easily passed, the rain was making things a bit slick so I took my time.
I pulled in front of the semi right at the end of the passing lane. Being a bit overcautious I tend to leave at least two car lengths between me and a semi when pulling in front of, just to be sure the driver of the much taller vehicle can see me.
The highway then took a sharp blind turn to the left. Ohmyfuckinggod, there's a line of traffic ahead of me, all AT A DEAD STOP!
I'm in a tight left hand turn. If I just hit the brakes, I've no time to stop and I'll plow into the nearest vehicle's trunk. If I pull to the right I'll go through the small barrier and plunge into the river canyon. The oncoming lane to the left is clear, so as I brake I pull left.
Our cars tend to get tail happy in a tight curve. Now that pulling left made the curve even tighter, the back end broke and started massive oversteer. I tried to correct, but the new rain had lifted oil and tire dust to the surface and it was like being on ice.
Pam spun, the passenger compartment becoming her axis. I slid across the (thankfully empty) oncoming lane. Pam plowed through a 'Slow traffic keep right' sign and slid sideways into a shallow creekbed between the highway and mountain face. The creekbed was filled with jagged rocks that had crumbled from the mountain above, each one a collection of lethal points and razor edges.
Pam snagged one such rock under the passenger side rocker panel as she slid sideways, and the car flipped. I rolled over completely at least once and came to a rest upside down in the shallow creek. The sunroof and rear hatch had fragmented but the water was only a few inches deep.
People who had occupied the stopped cars dashed over. I heard someone say "cut the seatbelt so we can get the body out". I braced my feet in the footwell and, holding my torso up with one hand on the ground, unbuckled my belt.
Their first indication that I was alive was my voice asking "could someone please help pull the door open?"
I climbed out of my beloved car and surveyed the damage.
No other vehicles had been struck; however, the semi behind me had had a hell of a time stopping, coming to rest only inches from the stopped car that I'd avoided. Had I been able to stop in time, by some miracle, I'd have ended up mashed between the semi and the rest of the traffic.
There she lay, the rain stopping and the sun coming out, upside down and horribly disfigured. A mirror, I can't remember if it was driver's or passenger's side, lay several feet away. The driver's front amber running light/ turn signal hung pathetically from the fender. The rear wiper motor and a few cubes of tinted glass were all that remained of the rear hatch. The Racing Beat muffler was bent sideways, torn from it's mounts. The muffler itself appeared undamaged; the stock connector pipe between it and the presilencer had been torn in half by the rocks.
The car, a 1985 Japanese lightweight sportscar with a frame designed in the mid-70's, had absorbed all the impact. Though the body was dented, mashed, crushed, and pierced by the rocks the A and B pillars were virtually unbent and the roof, albeit with shattered moonroof, had remained rigid.
Pam had saved my life.
Only moments later, it seemed, the ambulance had arrived. They checked me over; a few glass slivers in my scalp and right ear, a few nicks to my finger, and a friction burn on my left arm from the driver's door denting in as my arm was bouncing around, apparently sanding off a bit of skin.
no glass in the eye. No face torn open by the rocks. No crushed skull, no broken ribs... in fact, other than a few shallow cuts I have only a small bruise on my left hip from my tight lap belt.
The RCMP arrived and at first refused to believe I'd been the driver of the car. One of them was an accident reconstruction specialist and all he could say coherently was 'thank god you buckled up'. Both of the cops, and the paramedics before them, had been convinced when they saw the car that the driver would have been hamburger.
******
My thoughts on this:
- Had I stopped, the semi would have crushed me
- Had I gone right, I'd have plunged to certain death into the deep canyon, splashing into the river below. Pam would have either been dashed on freight-car sized rocks or submerged in the strong current.
- As it is, I lost only a car. A car I cherished, and was filled with pride by every time I drove her, washed her, or even looked in her general direction... but a car nonetheless.
- There is no way I should have walked away from that. Had one single factor, out of literally millions, been different my head would have been crushed and/or dashed open.
- Yes I'll probably have to fight my insurance co. to get a decent settlement out of this, but the reason traffic was stopped, triggering the chain of events, was because the BC Highways dept. was drilling and had shut down one lane of the highway, creating a bottleneck. There were no signs, no warning, just traffic occupying space around a blind corner that a car on the highway has reasonable expectation to be clear.
It'll take a long time for me to settle things financially, and to build another RX-7 as fine as this one... but at the end of the day she preserved my life and limb, taking every hit from every angle for me. I honestly didn't think a car with thin A pillars and so little metal above the sill line could take such a punishment.
One of the freaky things about me is I heal very, very quickly, physically speaking. The wounds on my hand and arm are closed and shrinking, the ones on my scalp and ear don't even exist anymore.
Most importantly to me, though, is that any self-pity I felt over the loss of a material possession, prized or not, was quickly abated when I read the outpouring of support from you guys in Matt's thread.
Thank you, each and every one of you, who posted words of encouragement. You're absolutely right; I will build another.
06-22-03 | 07:07 PM
#3
This just goes to show that when you put that much love into a car, it will go out of its way to protect you (in my opinion). I guess some may call that crazy, but i have a feeling that had it been any other car the outcome could have been much worse 
So glad to hear from you. And i sure as hell hope the insurance gives you your moneys worth, she was truly a gem!
So glad to hear from you. And i sure as hell hope the insurance gives you your moneys worth, she was truly a gem!
06-22-03 | 07:30 PM
#5
Wow - I feel as though I have just read a well written short story of fiction. I don't know what you do for a living Manntis but something tells me it may involve serious writing. Glad to hear you're well and in better spirits.
06-22-03 | 08:48 PM
#6
Airflow is my life
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,736
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, Fl
Glad your ok. Guys take this lesson from him. BUCKLE UP! everytime you drive! Your not cool if your DEAD! SOunds like you may have a case against the DOT for not giving adequate warning of the road work ahead. Again sorry for your loss, but glad your ok. 
Again sorry for your loss, but glad your ok.
06-22-03 | 09:01 PM
#7
Rotary Freak
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
From: SF BayArea
Glad you're OK. Sorry about the car, but it gives you a chance to do another one.
This business of highway crews giving inadequate warning of stoppage seems to be a plague. I've run into the same thing twice here in the Santa Cruz mountains in the last couple months. Fortunately, it was dry and I had no calamity.
B
This business of highway crews giving inadequate warning of stoppage seems to be a plague. I've run into the same thing twice here in the Santa Cruz mountains in the last couple months. Fortunately, it was dry and I had no calamity.
B
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06-22-03 | 09:36 PM
#8
The infamous number guy!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
From: Terre Haute, IN.
Everything happens for a reason. A friend of mine totaled his mx6 last year, i was there to watch it happen... his tires squealed at an intersection and a truck that didn't have it's ligts on plowed into him around 11pm on hwy 46, i was in a friend's car and he was behind us. I saw everything out his back window, we stopped the car and ran over to help him, he got out of his car and layed on the pavement and started crying. It was terrible to see him like that, he kept saying outloud "i wish i would have died than to see my mazda like this"
2 months later he bought a nice black mx6 gt, he forgot about his old car and has grew a new love for the much nicer car he got to replace it.
Things happen for a reason and you learn from your mistakes, i've nearly lost my life a few times driving and learned from it, luckly it only took scareing the complete **** out of me rather than totalling my car... sometimes slightly damaging it though, but still repairable.
2 months later he bought a nice black mx6 gt, he forgot about his old car and has grew a new love for the much nicer car he got to replace it.
Things happen for a reason and you learn from your mistakes, i've nearly lost my life a few times driving and learned from it, luckly it only took scareing the complete **** out of me rather than totalling my car... sometimes slightly damaging it though, but still repairable.
06-22-03 | 11:34 PM
#11
Will Work for Beer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, Ne
i thought about posting my crash and maybe i will later when i come to my senses. i have only 2 things to be glad of right now. i wasn't in my 7. and that my g/f is suprizingly going to live.
but i'm glad you are ok
but i'm glad you are ok
06-23-03 | 01:13 AM
#14
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,203
Likes: 2,826
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally posted by Cody
(adds this story to list of reasons I will put a rollcage in my 7)
(adds this story to list of reasons I will put a rollcage in my 7)
mike
06-23-03 | 02:42 AM
#15
sold the FD...kept the FB
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 1
From: Torrance, CA
wow. I just found out right now. This sucks.
Manntis,
You were the first person to post on my FB crash two short months ago.... I know how you feel. I wouldn’t wish what you're going threw on anyone. My sincere condolences, I'm glad you're okay. I bet you're already planning what to build up next, but at the same time.... the fact that the car is gone fails to really set in. I'm really excited about starting over with another car, but at the same time...I feel so set back. Buying another 1st gen felt weird at first, but it got better with time. I hate life's lessons sometimes.
What's the line from 6 million dollar man?
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him (her).....we have the technology.
Even though the car it self cannot be rebuilt, the soul of it can be built into another.
Manntis,
You were the first person to post on my FB crash two short months ago.... I know how you feel. I wouldn’t wish what you're going threw on anyone. My sincere condolences, I'm glad you're okay. I bet you're already planning what to build up next, but at the same time.... the fact that the car is gone fails to really set in. I'm really excited about starting over with another car, but at the same time...I feel so set back. Buying another 1st gen felt weird at first, but it got better with time. I hate life's lessons sometimes.
What's the line from 6 million dollar man?
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him (her).....we have the technology.
Even though the car it self cannot be rebuilt, the soul of it can be built into another.
06-23-03 | 06:15 AM
#16
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola
ok.. im gonna cry..
i think this crash has brought us all closer together..
even though i am a thousand miles away from u all.. i feel like u guys are closer..
...like we are all connected in some way now..
another lesson ive learnt from cars.. is that not only does it take us everywhere...
makes us feel free..
makes us have something to work on..
maybe even met our girlfriends through it..
but also it unites us..
all the rx7 owners out there have untied into 1 big community.. no matter where they are..
even people i meet in the road that have other 7s.. usually wave at me.. and i wave back.. its like we know each other just because we both have a first gen..
its almost like we both know wat we went through..
and seeing the past like that just through our cars.. is really something special..
i think this crash has brought us all closer together..
even though i am a thousand miles away from u all.. i feel like u guys are closer..
...like we are all connected in some way now..
another lesson ive learnt from cars.. is that not only does it take us everywhere...
makes us feel free..
makes us have something to work on..
maybe even met our girlfriends through it..
but also it unites us..
all the rx7 owners out there have untied into 1 big community.. no matter where they are..
even people i meet in the road that have other 7s.. usually wave at me.. and i wave back.. its like we know each other just because we both have a first gen..
its almost like we both know wat we went through..
and seeing the past like that just through our cars.. is really something special..
06-23-03 | 07:54 AM
#17
Heck Yes!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
From: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Wow I just read about your accident Mantis. Thankfuly you are ok. Pam gave her all to protect you at any cost. Your account is truly amazing. I have not ever been out west, but understand that mountin/hill driving can be treterous.
The cuts and bruses will heal, and a car can be replaced. The RX7 is a truly amazing car.
I agree with timmya2 it is wonderful to see the RX7 community ralley around one of their own.
The cuts and bruses will heal, and a car can be replaced. The RX7 is a truly amazing car.
I agree with timmya2 it is wonderful to see the RX7 community ralley around one of their own.
06-23-03 | 10:30 AM
#18
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,180
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From: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
I can't emphasise enough how much I appreciate all the spontaneous support I've received from this group. From vipernicus beginning the lobby of Pam as posthumous car of the month to Sterling's generous offer of material support and everyone's best wishes in between it has helped minimize my post-accident depression and self-pity.
Until now I hadn't realized how respected I seem to be in this forum. I must say that in my opinion the comments about me being among the 'most knowlegeable' are a bit undeserved - guys like sterling, revhed, directfreak, etc. have probably forgotten more about RX-7 repairs and maintainance than I've yet learned. That said, it is flattering to hear and having one's ego stroked at a time like this does help to cheer a person up
When the accident occured, a young couple who'd been pacing me in their Honda for the previous 3 hours took it upon themselves to stick around while I was treated by paramedics and interviewed by cops. They wanted to ensure I had a ride somewhere. By coincidence they were headed to a town just 15 minutes from my destination, and cheerfully volunteered to drive me there. Without Kim and Blair I'd have been stranded and missed my father's wedding, turning a bad situation worse. As it was, these two barely 20 kids hung around for over an hour on a highway just to go out of their way to help a complete stranger; when I later insisted on paying for gas during a fueling stop I had to argue with the guy to get him to let me to do so.
These two reminded me of some of you here on the forum; so quick to help, and so reluctant to accept any compensation or thanks for doing so.
The (thankfully very few) flamers in this section of forum would do well to take heed: even if the question is asked a million times, it's a new question to the new members. A few kind words and a little encouragement go a long way, even if it's just a polite instruction for a newbie to use the search feature.
Until now I hadn't realized how respected I seem to be in this forum. I must say that in my opinion the comments about me being among the 'most knowlegeable' are a bit undeserved - guys like sterling, revhed, directfreak, etc. have probably forgotten more about RX-7 repairs and maintainance than I've yet learned. That said, it is flattering to hear and having one's ego stroked at a time like this does help to cheer a person up
When the accident occured, a young couple who'd been pacing me in their Honda for the previous 3 hours took it upon themselves to stick around while I was treated by paramedics and interviewed by cops. They wanted to ensure I had a ride somewhere. By coincidence they were headed to a town just 15 minutes from my destination, and cheerfully volunteered to drive me there. Without Kim and Blair I'd have been stranded and missed my father's wedding, turning a bad situation worse. As it was, these two barely 20 kids hung around for over an hour on a highway just to go out of their way to help a complete stranger; when I later insisted on paying for gas during a fueling stop I had to argue with the guy to get him to let me to do so.
These two reminded me of some of you here on the forum; so quick to help, and so reluctant to accept any compensation or thanks for doing so.
The (thankfully very few) flamers in this section of forum would do well to take heed: even if the question is asked a million times, it's a new question to the new members. A few kind words and a little encouragement go a long way, even if it's just a polite instruction for a newbie to use the search feature.
06-23-03 | 12:47 PM
#19
Manntis ~
I just read this. I don't get to check in as often as I used to, but let me echo the sentiments expressed by everyone else when I say that I'm sorry to hear about the accident, DAMN sorry to hear about Pam ... but I'm really happy to hear that you made it out alive, albeit brokenhearted.
I'll disagree with the "cars can be replaced"-stuff simply because no two cars will share one memory. So Pam cannot be REPLACED, just merely succeeded like monarch.
I, too, would like to offer any assistance that I can whenever you begin the road to building Pam's successor.
Good Luck,
1
I just read this. I don't get to check in as often as I used to, but let me echo the sentiments expressed by everyone else when I say that I'm sorry to hear about the accident, DAMN sorry to hear about Pam ... but I'm really happy to hear that you made it out alive, albeit brokenhearted.
I'll disagree with the "cars can be replaced"-stuff simply because no two cars will share one memory. So Pam cannot be REPLACED, just merely succeeded like monarch.
I, too, would like to offer any assistance that I can whenever you begin the road to building Pam's successor.
Good Luck,
1
06-23-03 | 02:19 PM
#20
Are you gonna shift?!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
They were drilling with no warning signs of roadwork ahead? A sharp left turn near a river canyon with no guardrail? Wet roads and an FB. That spells deathwish right there. But you made it out alive ,"Wolverine", so that's what counts.
06-23-03 | 03:04 PM
#21
Ride 'n Style
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
Glad to hear you're ok... Just don't be afraid to get in another Rx-7. Pam loved you and I'm sure another one will. Let us know what happens and what you end up getting. (Assuming you get another Rex)
06-23-03 | 06:21 PM
#23
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Originally posted by Metallic_rock
Just don't be afraid to get in another Rx-7.
Just don't be afraid to get in another Rx-7.
I rolled over sharp rocks at highway speed and walked away with literally just a few scratches.
I'd jump into another 1st gen RX-7 in a heartbeat. That safety cage surprised the hell out of me!
06-23-03 | 07:04 PM
#24
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 2
From: Canberra - Aus
I can't really say anything that someone else hasn't already, but I can echo the sentiments. I'm glad to hear you're OK and it's good to know that a 1st gen took the punishment so well, and kept you safe through what sounds like quite an accident.
Best of luck with finding another car.
Best of luck with finding another car.
06-23-03 | 07:16 PM
#25
Tennis, anyone
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 4
From: SoCal.
Just a thought. since there were no signs of any kind
posted, maybe ask a lawer , if there's a case, where the people resposible for the road closer, if you could go after them somehow and come out winning. car save human,,,,good car .
posted, maybe ask a lawer , if there's a case, where the people resposible for the road closer, if you could go after them somehow and come out winning. car save human,,,,good car .